See Part One for story details.
Jenny stood at the door next to Mr Canter as they watched two policeman carry the still groggy man away. They were accompanied by Colonel Adams' physician and by another two officers who had been questioning the household for the past half hour. Canter closed the door behind them and a hint of a sigh escaped his lips. Jenny patted the man's arm as she turned to see Vastra waiting for her by the dining room door.
Jenny joined her and smiled at the veiled face that tilted towards her.
"Well, Madame," Jenny said, "that was more excitement than I rightly expected on a Christmas Day."
"Indeed. I am sorry our evening has been ruined so."
"Oh, not ruined and a good evening's work, I'd say. Even if it is going to be unpaid," Jenny muttered as Vastra turned to enter the dining room.
"Madame Vastra," Sir Leopold said, standing from the dining room chair that he had taken up while they waited for the policeman to finish their work, "I could never thank you enough."
"I'd say Miss Flint deserves most of the credit," Crook said, adding, "that is if you don't mind me saying so," to Vastra.
"I do no. Quite the opposite, in fact."
"You're very kind, Madame, Mr Crook," Jenny beamed, "though I think there's credit enough to be shared around."
"You are indeed magnamious, my dear. Now, Colonel," Vastra sketched a bow to him, "I believe Miss Flint and I will excuse ourselves. It has been a most," she considered her words, "fascinating evening and I thank you and Miss Adams for inviting us to join you."
Cries of, "Come now, Madame!" and, "I say, you must explain things," rang out from the assembled family and Jenny noticed that even Mr Canter and the maid, standing unobtrusively in the doorway, were looking expectantly towards them.
"Perhaps just a few minutes to sort things out, eh?" Jenny said.
Vastra inclined her head in agreement and took the proffered chair. Jenny settled into the seat next to her and looked around the rough circle that had formed in the centre of the room. The piano and drums remained in place and various props were scattered about the floor. Jenny knew that the servants would be having quite the time of it cleaning everything away and didn't envy them one bit.
"Now, Madame," Ruby said, clutching Crook's hand as he sat next to her, "you must explain this business with Uncle," she stumbled over the word, "James."
"Oh, don't worry, Miss, he wasn't your uncle at all. Was he, Madame?" Jenny said.
"Indeed not. I suspect he is one of these up and coming thieves that one hears of so much in the newspapers, though I would not wish to venture which one," she added, pausing before saying, "Still, that is of no matter."
"So how the devil did he manage to fool us?" the Colonel said.
Because you're a lovely old buffer who takes folks at face value, Jenny thought but she left it to Vastra to give a more diplomatic answer.
"He would have read of your wife's passing in the newspapers, Colonel, perhaps even of her illness before that. Only a very little research would discover the existence of a distant but much loved brother and the rest was a well told tale and your own susceptability at the most difficult of times."
Crook considered that and said, "But how did you see through him so quickly, Madame?"
"In truth, I did not suspect a thing until the theft was uncovered."
"Had you not insisted that I send for the doctor, I should never have noticed 'til morning," the Colonel said.
"Just as that dreadful man wanted," Sir Leopold said.
"Quite," Vastra said, "and he would have been long gone by then."
"He took the stones from this room when he came out to write his message to that man?" Crook said.
"Yes," Vastra said, "though he wasn't writing to that man, of course -"
"That man being a proper copper and all," Jenny put in.
"Exactly so. No, I suspect that your unwanted guest had an accomplice who learned that a policeman might be on his way and sent the original note. Our thief than sent a missive back to him while claiming that it was for this fictional entertainer. The man who arrived knew nothing of what awaited him, of course. He merely thought that your guest might not be who he claimed to be."
"Which he most certainly was not," Jenny added.
"And the gems," Crook couldn't stop his grin from forming, "he hide them about his person, so to speak."
"Stuck them on his costume just like the paste ones," Jenny smiled in return, "Clever, I'll give him that."
"Very ingenious, I agree," Vastra said, "This entertainment of his was a most creative way to frame his crime, a misdirection of the most novel kind."
"One last thing then, Madame," Sir Leopold spoke up, "How did he know that I was bringing the Stars here to Ruby?"
"Sir Leopold, anyone who can read a newspaper knows of your more exceptional finds and, indeed, your passion for rare stones. Anyone who takes the time to find out a little more about you personally would surely find that you are a doting godfather and that your goddaughter is planning to wed in the near future. You would certainly be giving her a fine gift at Christmas time, would you not?"
"I would, I would indeed, Madame," he said, "And I can only offer my undying gratitude for your services this evening. Your's and Miss Flint's, of course."
"Might hold you to that, Sir," Jenny said before Vastra could respond.
It earned her a twitch of the veil before Vastra added, "We are more than happy to accept your thanks, Sir Leopold." Vastra rose from her seat, turning to Colonel Adams, "Now, Colonel, if you will excuse us?"
"We will, Madame, Miss Flint, with all our thanks and best wishes. I am so pleased that Ruby here invited you to join us, for I fear we would be in a poor state without you."
"Not at all," Vastra took the man's hand warmly, "it was most kind of Miss Adams to do so."
"And we're most pleased we could help out, Sir," Jenny added as she too shook his hand.
Ruby and Crook both stood to hug Jenny, though they were stopped from attempting the same with Vastra by a suddenly forbidding countenance. Jenny's lips twitched but she managed to keep her face straight as she whispered to the young couple, "Not to worry," and wished everyone a Happy Christmas.
Vastra had already left the room and was standing with Canter, who was helping her on with her overcoat. Jenny took her coat and bonnet from the maid, thanking her kindly, and watched as Ruby went to Vastra. Her friend leaned down to the smaller woman as they spoke most earnestly.
"I really can't thank you enough, Madame Vastra. If there's anything John and I - and my father and godfather too - can ever do for you both, do please ask."
"You are most kind, Miss Adams, but I would ask only that you and your family continue to show Miss Flint and I the same kindness that you have displayed today."
"Oh, of course we will!"
"And," Vastra said as she began to turn for the door and then slowly turned back, leaning closer still, "there is one small favour that you might do me?"
"Anything, please just ask," Ruby smiled up into the veiled face, "anything at all."
"Pray, would you know the significance of the placing of small metal objects inside a plum pudding?"
Ruby blinked up at her for a moment before saying, "Oh, do you mean the thimble and that sort of thing?"
"That sort of thing exactly."
"Why yes, Madame, it's an old superstition. John says it comes from centuries back when we were all pagans and such."
"And these objects, they have some meaning to them?" Vastra put in quickly, aware of Jenny watching them closely.
"I think it may vary from family to family but our cook puts in a thimble, a few coins and a ring. If you get the thimble then you are to be a spinster; if you get the coins, you're to be rich; and if you get the ring, you're soon to be married. I know it's only a silly superstition, Madame, but I was very happy to get a coin and not the thimble. Madame?"
Vastra had straightened up and was staring down the hall at Jenny, who was staring back with a quizzical expression that Vastra found quite adorable.
"Forgive me, Miss Adams," Vastra said to the girl, "and I thank you for your explanation."
"Not at all, Madame. Is everything quite all right?"
"Quite all right indeed. It would appear that I am to be married."